The Dentistry/Dental surgery Students and Aspirants........Let's meet here.
Let's discuss and Ask questions on dentistry
Throwing more lights in some areas of interest
.
Some people do diversify dentistry with the thought that its limited to teeth without knowing that its a faculty more like a complex specialty/extension of medicine with many subspecialties......Dentistry/dentalsurgery can somehow be likened to department like Surgery, O and G, etc which hv subspecialties..... The difference is just that u hv to kick off the specialization from the scratch bc of its complexity, that is Studying medicine and dentistry simultaneously, against Other specialty that you hv to study medsurg before specializing basically in them.......
.
Let's look into Dentistry proper......
.
: What is dentistry?
A: Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, commonly in the dentition but also the oral mucosa, and of adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area. Although primarily associated with teeth among the general public, the field of dentistry or dental medicine is thus not limited to odontology (odoús, "tooth" – the study of the structure, development, and abnormalities of the teeth. It is the study of the mouth and its disorders and diseases.

It encompasses treatment of the face, jaw, cheek, few complicated disorders of the neck(pharynx), structures in the mouth including teeth, lips, tongue, palates, gums, saliva and salivary glands and other procedures.

Dentistry is a very wide aspect of medicine with about ten sub-specialties. Other aspects of medicine that can be likened to dentistry are internal medicine, Paediatrics, and surgery. These aspects all have sub-specialties too.

Dentists are surgeons BUT not physicians.

This is because eight out of ten times you visit a dentist, he will work on you, that is operate on u(be it minor/major surgery) that is why you will be given a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (BDS/BChD) upon graduation. The graduates of medsurg Similarly,
whom have specialized in surgery, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, O&G, pediatrics and other surgery related field like anaesthesia are not physicians but surgeons, this is bc, they must pass six years in medical school before specializing in any chosen field......but dentistry specialize immediately, hence why they write 7 professional exams(4 MBBS and 3 BDS) while medsurge write 5 MBBS only......

Q: How can I become a qualified dental doctor?

A: To become a qualified dentist you need to have five O level credit in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology and fulfill the UTME and PostUTME requirements of your chosen school. Please note that we have nine schools presently offering the course in Nigeria with very few quota system. Therefore prospective candidates must prepare well to meet up with the cutoff mark as it is usually the highest after medicine ( there were cases in the past when it was higher than medicine in some schools) in the College of Medicine/Health Sciences of your school. The following schools are currently offering the course with their students quota in bracket; UNIBADAN(30), UNILAG(40), OAUIFE(25), UNIBEN(25), UNIPORT(15), UNN(15), UNIMAID(15), LASU(10) and BUKano(10). You can also apply for DE with your first degree with a second class upper division of any biological sciences or basic medical sciences discipline.

Q: What should I expect during my training?

A: Dentistry is for six years for UTME and five years for direct entry.Your first year will see you through advanced physics, chemistry,
biology, mathematics(not all schools) and general studies. This is going to be the easiest class in your undergraduate days. Each school has
criteria for promoting to the next class as their will be no room for carry over, any student found wanting will repeat the class or be withdrawn. Your 200 and 300 levels will be basically anatomy,physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology to be learnt together with your medical colleagues. There is no grading system that is, no A or B will be awarded this is because after completion of your course you wont be given first class or second class, your certificate will state PASS that is Unclassified degrees. However after each final examination you take at the end of each level, it is either you PASS or RESIT or REPEAT or WITHDRAW. In addition to those courses dental students will be taught oral biology, science of dental materials, dental operative techniques, prosthetic techniques in 200 and 300 levels. Then you will write your 2nd professional examination marking the end of pre-clinical. In 400 level you will be taught and undergone postings in the different specialties of medicine, and that of surgery, you will also be taught and undergone postings in pharmacology and Therapeutics and all aspects of pathology including morbid anatomy, chemical pathology, haematology & immunology, microbiology & parasitology, histopathology together with your medical colleagues. Then you will write your 3rd professional examination. In 500 and 600 levels you will be taught and undergone postings in community medicine together with your medical colleagues. In addition to that of medicine, Dental students will also be taught and undergone postings in oral radiography/radiology, oral pathology, oral & maxillofacial surgery, restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry, preventive & community dentistry, dental Medicine and therapeutics, endodontics, oral medicine. Then you will write your third professional examination and be inducted by MDCN.

Q: Where can I do my internship?

A: I have heard newly graduated medical doctors lament on where to do internship before their 24 months temporary license is due. This is so because we have medical schools all over the countries (federal/states/privates) with new ones coming up every year. This lack of space and limited time has forced some to do the internship as supernumerary meaning that they will do the one year internship without pay. This is different for dental doctors as there are more accredited hospitals for dentists than the numbers of dentists graduating every year. You can check MDCN site for a list of eligible places.

Q: Where will I serve during NYSC service year?

A: As a dentist you are a precious tool in the hand of our FG so be prepared to work during this service year because we have less than 2000 practicing dentists in a country of over 160 million people, so be ready to work in an hospital possibly attending to patients spread over 5 LGA.The beauty of it is you will be paid more than fellow corpers and possibly make more money. Also you will get to practice your skill fully without supervision and that makes you better than your friends who will be posted to schools.

Q: Can I get a well paid job after school?

A: YES, if you want to work as a dental officer, many dentists are begged to stay back after service due to the extreme shortage of manpower in the profession especially in the northern part of the country. you may also decide to pursue your residency. The choice is yours.

Q: Is there hope in private practice after school?

A: YES, contrary to people’s opinion that private dental clinic will not be patronized the reverse is actually the case as there are increasing awareness among Nigerians on the need for quality oral health. There are a good number of private dental clinics in the country and pple a times queue up for consultation .

Q: How do I specialize and what are the requirements?

A: Specialization in Dentistry require one to pass the exam of Faculty of Dental surgery of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria or West African College of Surgeons and then proceed to a teaching hospital where they offer any of the postgraduate programmes in dentistry.
The specialties are:
PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY,
ENDODONTICS,
ORAL MEDICINE,
ORAL&MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY, PROSTHODONTICS,
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY,
COMMUNITY DENTISTRY,
DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH,
ORAL PATHOLOGY,
PERIODONTOLOGY,
ORAL RADIOLOGY,
ORTHODONTICS & DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS
FORENSIC DENTISTRY.
.
Q: If I decide to do medicine in future or want to specialize under medicine/surgery is it possible?

A: YES, you will be required to do 500 and 600 levels of medicine which will be around 22 months ( approximately 2 years) and you will become a holder of MBBS/MBChB but please know that your BDS/BChD degree will be withdrawn from you forever which means you can no longer specialize in dentistry or practice it or be referred to as a dentist but If a medical doctor decide to do dentistry in future or want to specialize under Dentistry/Dental surgery, it will take him 3yrs bc he will need to start from 4th Year to pass the 1st BDS exam.

Q: Can a dentist head a hospital or any medical organization?

A: YES, In Nigeria, only medicine and dentist head hospitals... a dentist is given the same treatment as a medical doctor and can as such be the head of a hospital. A dental consultant who has attained the position of a professor can become the CMD of a hospital or provost of a college of medicine.

Q: Who will I work with in the dental ward/hospital?

A: A dentist will work with a general nurse/dental nurse, dental technologist, dental therapist, lab scientist, radiographer, medical records staff.

Q: Do people visit dentists in Nigeria?

A: YES, the figure is improving and people now see a dentist more than you can actually think of.

Q: Are dentists too life savers?

A: YES, they are life savers too because most diseases in the body will either have oral symptoms whereby it can be detected early enough by
a dentist. Some diseases even have oral manifestations that can only be managed by a dentist. Also diseases such as oral cancer, tonsillitis amongst others can only be managed effectively by a dentist.

Q: Is it possible to have emergency cases in a dental ward/hospital/clinic?

A:YES, though it is not a common occurrence but there are actually a few ones. Take for example a person with a tongue/lip cut that is surely for oral & maxillofacial surgeons or a child with a pin prick in the mouth that is why we have peadiatric dentists too.

Q: Is dentistry tougher than medicine?

A:MAYBE, there is no yardstick for toughness although most foreign forums (American) I have read, people are with the opinion of dentistry
being tougher due to the dexterity of hands and eyes involved. Dentistry can be tougher initially (parts 1-4) due to the fact that you do
dental courses in addition to what medical students will do. But in 500 & 600 levels medicine too can be seen as voluminous when you think of
the number of cases you will come across but dentistry is sure not anywhere less voluminous as you combine clinical postings with
patients care, lectures and practical too are on with dental aspects of basic medical sciences fields you will be taught in parts 5 & 6. So in my
opinion it is indecisive.

Q: Can I admit patients other than dental cases?
A: NO, you cannot so as not to lose your license but you can offer excellent medical advice to your patients and make proper referrals.

Q: Does a dentist use sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, thermometer and others?

A: YES, you make use of everything right from your part4.

Q: What are my prospects outside the country?

A: Dentistry is a promising profession outside Nigeria. According to Daily NewsUSA published on December 19, 2012 for top 100
professions in the United States dentistry ranks first with a median salary of US$142740 (NGN22.8 million with $1=#160). This is to tell you
that not only Nigeria has prospects for graduates of dentistry.

Q: Is the profession not boring and can we call it a ministry like medicine?

A: YES, the profession is interesting because it gives smile to people’s faces. When you walk into your office and your patient is wailing of
toothache (commonest ailment) then you perform the magic and the patient is beaming and smiling again tell me if this is boring? Couples
who can no longer kiss each other again or communicate effectively because a partner has got mouth odour, then you invite the affected
partner over and treat his/her condition, he/she is full of smile and his/her marriage is back on track and he/she will be grateful now tell
me if what you are doing is boring? Tell me if dentistry is not a ministry?

THANK YOU FOR READING

As students are we utilising past questions to their full? Correct usage can actually boost our chances of passing. Jobbers practice GMAT past questions. Its all about Full UTILISATION. check http://genesisonlinetutorials..co.ke/2016/09/exam-tips-past-questions-benefits-of-hind-sight.html

Nice write up OP. But, I do not agree with you that your dental degree will be withdrawn when you come for your MBBS degree. Anyone who has finalised his training in dentistry and has gone for his housemanship, deserves the right to have his certificate. It's simply a matter of choice whether he chooses to go for a SECOND degree in Medicine. In that case, he goes through a DE (Direct Entry) and starts from 500L. It is one's money and time, and no one can withdraw his certificate because he worked for it and earned it. It's like someone with a First degree in Medicine, going for another one in Pharmacy, the certificates are his possessions. It will be very insane to withdraw his Medical certificate because he's gone for a second degree in Pharmacy.

To further clearify this, will you also say an MBBS doctor coming for a second degree in Dentistry will have his MBBS withdrawn? It is even unthinkable. There're a lot doctors who have both BDS and MBBS and practicing whichever they want. It is their possession and their energy. No one has the right to withdraw any of the certificates since they earned it. One example is "Dr Dr" C. Orji (Prof), who is a maxillofacial surgeon in Uniben.. Many of his kinds exist. Moreover, I take it that it is your personal view, as it is not contained in the MDCN constitution. You can verify that.